This self-titled debut album was made by musician-couple Lilly Hiatt and Coley Hinson at home in 2021, and mostly recorded at “Evelyn’s House” in the winter of 2022. According to Hiatt, one night they sat on the couch trading lines and that’s how “Plan B” happened”, a song in which one half of a couple seems to be pleading, beseeching, the other to explain their alternative plan. The track closes out with a determined guitar solo; Hiatt plays many of the solos on the album with Hinson moving from instrument to instrument.
As one would probably hope or expect from the circumstances – a couple performing and recording together – there are romantic moments. “July” and “Nowhere to Be” are free rolling and carefree in spirit. “Mercury” is darkly loved-up, with Hinson’s backing vocals shadowing Hiatt’s, and there’s a heavy summer of love in “Nothing”. The ballad “When All of Your Heroes are Dead” is an unusual, clattering duet.
Despite its origins in coupledom, the album benefits from songs about the individual’s relationship experiences (“Offa My Mind” and “Heart”). There’s also a noticeably sophisticated range of styles and songs. “Still!”, with its quirky syncopation and singalong, hints at reggae. “Mouth”, “Fire and the Flame” and “Be It” are grungy rock. “Ball”, with impressive steel guitar by Steve Hinson, is a gentle county ballad.
The love and passion that went into the project extends to the physical versions of the release, including a 12” vinyl Wax Mage and the Plastikat Deviations version filled with pink and orange liquid and, of course, yin yangs.
Label: Watch It Burn Records
Release Date: 29 DEC 2023
Poetic Justice 